North Wales Women’s League East – leaders Flint overcome odds to win at Denbigh

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE EAST

Denbigh Town 3 (Harrison 2, Purvis 7, E Evans 72)
Flint Town United 6 (Stopford pen 22, D Hughes 30 & 47, Crockett pen 52, K Williams 90+2, Hastings 90+4)

Report: Ollie Williams
Pictures: Roy Gunther

Despite being 2-0 down and later reduced to 10 players Flint showed tremendous battling spirit to claim a memorable win at Central Park.

Daisy Hughes (2), Zoe Stopford (penalty), Tegan Crockett (pen), Kaelyn Williams and Ruby Hastings shared the goals for the Silkwomen, while Natalie Harrison, Ceri Purvis and Eluned Evans all netted to keep Denbigh in the contest.

Included in the Denbigh line-up were star veterans Purvis and Harrison, who have turned out for Rhyl and Airbus in recent seasons, and their experience will no doubt deliver a big boost to Town.

Manager Ellen Lawson handed debuts to Purvis and Harrison, as well as Mali Thomas and Jess Frith.

And Town could not have made a better start. Within two minutes a Flint back pass was missed by the goalkeeper who scrambled to claw the ball off the line.

Having handled the ball, Denbigh were awarded an indirect free-kick which was rifled home by Harrison.

Within seven minutes the lead was doubled, Purvis this time popping up at the back post to finish following a cross from the wing.

After such a good start Denbigh were in control but Flint did grow into the game, and they had one back when Daisy Hughes was fouled by goalkeeper Young in the box after 20 minutes.

Zoe Stopford stepped up to take the penalty and despite being initially saved, the referee ordered it be re-taken with Young off her line. Stopford did not make the same mistake again.

Daisy Hughes was in on the action for Flint on the half-hour as she drew the visitors level from close range.

A heart-stopping moment on 34 minutes for Denbigh when Lucy Morris was bizarrely sent off for a second yellow card, only for it to be revoked when the referee realised the first yellow had been awarded to one of her triplet sisters.

HALF-TIME: Denbigh Town 2-2 Flint Town United

Whilst the first half began like a dream for Denbigh, the second could only be described as a nightmare.

Within 60 seconds Flint took the lead for the first time when Daisy Hughes latched on to a through ball down the middle and finished well.

Two minutes later Flint were down to 10 as Emily Edwards was sent off for allegedly kicking out at Harrison.

Despite the advantage, Denbigh fell further behind as Flint were awarded another penalty following a foul by Shannon Jones. Substitute Tegan Crockett made it 4-2 from the spot.

Eluned Evans was introduced by Denbigh on 63 minutes and as the game ticked over into the final 20 she gave Town hope with a goal via a strong shot at the back stick.

As Denbigh chased the game Flint capitalised and in stoppage time scored twice via sub Kaelyn Williams and Ruby Hastings.

Denbigh
Young, Jessica Duff, Mali Thomas, Elen James Owen (c), Ceri Purvis, Elan Jones, Shannon Jones, Natalie Harrison, Lucy Morris, Jess Frith, Emily Morris. SUBS USED: Carla Rizzi, Eluned Evans, Charlotte Cooper.

Flint
Becky Bott, Chloe Hughes, Emily Edwards, Caitlin Latham, Daisy Hughes, Jennifer Haynes, Ruby McGilloway (c), Zoe Stopford, Erin Heathcote, Rosie Hughes, Ruby Hastings. SUBS USED: Kaelyn Williams, Tegan Crockett, Natalie Bennett

Bellevue 6 Welshpool Town 0

Celebrations all-round as new side Bellevue recorded their first league win.

Not only did the Wrexham team chalk up a splendid 6-0 victory, BV legend Delwyn Derrick and his partner, club secretary Samantha Mullins, celebrated their first anniversary together by attending the game.

And the result was an early birthday present for Delwyn (nicknamed Sheep) who is 36 today (September 11).

Jade McHugh and Samantha Jones were the stars for the home team with three goals apiece.

McHugh netted two in the first half, both assisted by Jones.

Jones also pocketed a double in the opening 45 minutes, assists from Lola Prince and Lily Denby.

Lily is the youngest player in Bellevue history to register an assist, as she only turned 16 just over two weeks ago.

In the second half, McHugh completed her hat-trick, winning the ball from the defence and scoring from distance with the keeper off her line.

Denby turned provider again to set up Samantha Jones for her treble to complete the scoring.

Welshpool report (by D Gwynfor Edwards)

Bellevue’s clinical finishing was the difference in an otherwise competitive game.

Welshpool arrived for their first game of their season with 10 players- after a couple of late registrations yet to complete.

The first quarter saw Bellevue very dominant, going three-up within the first 35 minutes.

A change in shape from the Welshpool management team allowed a more competitive remainder of the fixture.

The following play until half-time was very evenly matched, but unfortunately for the resurgent Pool, Bellevue capitalised on the away side pushing forward and grabbed a fourth on the stroke of the interval.

The second half had the away side starting brightly and going close on a number of occasions; with some excellent goalkeeping by the Bellevue shot-stopper Tiarna Bithell.

In the 20 minutes following the break, the Pool kept the home side trapped in their own half, with only two occasions breaking through a very high away line.

As legs tired from the away side; the home team grabbed a fifth on 80 minutes and a sixth in the 98th minute.

Credit to the home side for being clinical; and equally credit to the 10 Pool players who battled to the end – with 3 players playing their first ever competitive game.

Kinmel Bay 1 Northop Hall 1

Elin Jones’ 85th minute equaliser earned Kinmel Bay their first point since returning to the North Wales League.

Northop Hall had led from the 18th minute when Tyler Price put them ahead.